Dunkirk eyes building moratorium in commercial district

DUNKIRK – Members of the Dunkirk Town Board will consider a moratorium on issuing building permits in the heavy commercial district that includes Route 60. The issue was part of the agenda of the regular meeting held Tuesday in Town Hall.

The board agreed that it should hold off on issuing any new permits in the commercial district until it can do a comprehensive review of zoning codes in that area. They agreed to meet at 6 p.m. Oct. 23 in a workshop session to discuss the terms of the moratorium.

Supervisor Richard Purol suggested the temporary hold on permits while the board consults with members of the Planning and Zoning Board and considers other changes to the code. He said the town also is considering a long-term comprehensive plan for economic development, and it will include suggestions for the commercial area.

No one spoke at the public hearing Tuesday on the topic of allowing the Town Board to increase taxes beyond the state override limit. The board enacted a local law that would permit raising taxes above the set limit.

In other matters, the board learned work on a grant application for a water district to bring municipal water to the area near New Road is continuing. Purol said that the engineering consultant has reported progress on the application. Residents in that area who have wells have been interested in forming a water district to purchase water from the city of Dunkirk.

Purol reported that he met with City of Dunkirk leaders earlier Tuesday about the proposed water district as well as plans to develop and improve water lines from the city into the township.

Board members agreed to change next month’s meeting to Nov. 6. The session will include public hearings on fire protection contracts starting at 6:15 p.m. and a hearing on the preliminary budget at 6:45 p.m. The regular meeting is set for 7 p.m.